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BACOLOD CITY — An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, April 18.
The fatality was identified as Jose Albores Jr., alias “Jojo”, an alleged member of Central Negros 1 (CN1) under the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command, according to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB).
Based on reports from former rebels who surrendered to authorities, Albores is one of the heads of the NPA “Kangaroo Court” operating in the boundaries of Moises Padilla, La Castellana and Isabela in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.
His group was allegedly responsible for the killing of innocent civilians, even their own members who were tagged as assets of the government or those who did not want to support the armed group, the 62nd IB said.
Recovered at the encounter site were a KG9 firearm, a hand grenade, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
“The unifier troopers will tirelessly hunt all the remaining NPA members who killed innocent and unarmed civilians in Central Negros,” the 61st IB statement said.
“To the remaining NPA (members) who are still running away, we know that you are tired and hungry, especially those who are wounded. Surrender now or be killed later,” said Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., 62IB commander.
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